Golf: Wilkinson in another top 15 finish

Tim Wilkinson. Photo / NZPA

Tim Wilkinson has recorded his ninth top-15 finish of the season, at the Albertsons Boise Open in Idaho on the web.com Tour, to continue his momentum towards a PGA Tour card in 2014.

Manawatu's Wilkinson carded a four-under par 67 at the Hillcrest Country Club in the final round to slip three places into a share of 12th as he dropped one position on the money-list.

The former PGA Tour pro finished on an 18-under par total, five shots back from Americans Spencer Levin and Kevin Tway. Tway won on the first extra hole.

The 34-year-old left-hander, who is based in Florida, explained his consistent run of form to the web.com Tour.

"Everything's a little bit better,'' said Wilkinson. "I've hit more fairways, hit more greens. Holing a couple more putts a tournament. I guess they all add up to more consistent scoring. Rather than hoping to play well you sort of know you're going to play well.''

Wilkinson is looking forward to another stint on the PGA Tour, where he took home more than US$1.1 million in his rookie season of 2008. The following season a torn ligament in his right thumb derailed his game and he lost his card.
"I feel when I get back there, I can play well. I'm a pretty down-to-earth person, and I know a lot of players out there. I won't be overawed by it.''

Fellow Kiwis Danny Lee and Steven Alker had forgettable final rounds in Idaho as they failed to keep up with the hot scoring.

Rotorua's Lee carded a one-over par 72 to drop 24 places down the leaderboard into a share of 33rd and Hamilton's Alker, who is right on the cusp of the qualifying mark, faded with a one-under 70 to finish tied 40th.

The 41-year-old, who won the Utah Championship three weeks ago to turn his season around, is currently 21st on the money-list and will drop one place on the results in Idaho.

The former NZ PGA Champion, who opened with a superb nine-under par 62 to share the lead, will look back on this tournament as a missed opportunity to climb further on the standings.

Lee, who like Wilkinson, the web.com Tour has projected he has already done enough to qualify, is forecasted to one place to 10th on the money-list.

The former US Amateur Champion will rue his finish in Idaho that included a costly triple bogey coming home.

The top 25 players on the money list at the end of the 2013 season earn full cards on the PGA Tour in 2014.

If all three Kiwis can progress to the PGA Tour in 2014 it will be a return to the heydays of New Zealand Golf.

In 2002 New Zealand golf had its largest ever presence on the PGA Tour when they had five players (Craig Perks, Frank Nobilo, Phil Tataurangi, Grant Waite and Michael Long) with full cards.

Tim Wilkinson's top-15 finishes in 2013
- T6th Chitimacha Louisiana Open
- T10th Brasil Classic
- T15th WNB Golf Classic
- 2nd Stadion Classic at UGA
- T11th BMW Charity Pro-Am
- 5th Mexico Championship
- 10th Mid-Atlantic Championship
- T12th Utah Championship
- T12th Albertsons Boise Open